Recovering from season-ending back surgery isn't the only challenge facing Nikolai Khabibulin these days. Khabibulin is also in trouble with the law after being charged with driving under the influence and speeding in Scottsdale, Arizona back on Feb. 8.

"Edmonton Oiler goalie Nikolai Khabibulin has been arrested in Arizona on charges of driving under the influence and speeding.

Khabibulin, who had season-ending back surgery on Jan. 14, was arrested by Scottsdale police on Feb. 8. After agreeing to take the standard Field Sobriety Test as well as consenting to take a blood test, Khabibulin was cited for a blood level alcohol content of .08 or more. He was also charged with exceeding the speed limit by more than 20 miles per hour.

OILERS TIGHT-LIPPED

I put in a phone call to Khabibulin's New York-based agent, Jay Grossman, after the story broke this afternoon, but didn't get a reply from him before posting this.

Oilers president of hockey operations Kevin Lowe, in Vancouver for the Olympics, was asked about the situation on Oilers Lunch, hosted by Bob Stauffer.

Said Lowe: "Well, we're just hearing about it ourselves actually, quite frankly unfortunately. So, we really don't have too much to say until we get the full details.

"We've been trying to track down Nikolai, who is, like a lot of guys, or most guys, on a holiday during the Olympics. Hopefully, it's not the case, but if it is confirmed, (we'd) be very disappointed that we're just finding out this way.

"Like I say, we'll just defer any comment until we talk to him ourselves."

Obviously, neither Khabibulin nor Grossman saw fit to contact the Oilers to inform the team of the charges.

-- Listen to Robin Brownlee every Wednesday and Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. on the Jason Gregor Show on TEAM 1260.

A sports writer since 1983, including stints at The Edmonton Journal and The Sun 1989-2007, I happily co-host the Jason Gregor Show on TSN 1260 twice a week and write when so inclined. Have the best damn lawn on the internet. Most important, I am Sam's dad. Follow me on Twitter at Robin_Brownlee. Or don't.

I'd really like some more info on this situation before passing judgement. Seems to be a lot of people are calling for his head and his contract to be terminated. Kinda sad really that Oil Fans would say things like this without hearing all the details and especially before he was at least found guilty.

Really if this were to happen when would you rather have it happen? Now when the player is out and when the team is already a joke or say 2 years down the line when he is playing well and the team is in a playoff race?

Edit: To add I wonder now that this is out with the Olympics being on if this will be a story that is passed on by the major sports networks. Maybe Grossman told Bulin to wait until the Olympics when no one is paying attention to the NHL?

Really if this were to happen when would you rather have it happen? Now when the player is out and when the team is already a joke or say 2 years down the line when he is playing well and the team is in a playoff race?

Edit: To add I wonder now that this is out with the Olympics being on if this will be a story that is passed on by the major sports networks. Maybe Grossman told Bulin to wait until the Olympics when no one is paying attention to the NHL?

There is NO WAY this will effect the status of his contract with the Oilers. If fitty cent Kane can kick the crap out of a cab driver with nary a slap on the wrist, Habi cruising chicks in his Ferrari after a couple of Pilsners is not going to deem his agreement with us null and void....book it Danno!

The difference is the Hawks would want to hold on to Kane's contract and would definitely be willing to overlook the breach whereas the Oilers should have every lawyer they have looking for a loophole to slip out from under their contract with Khabibulin.

What is the obligation of the player/agent in this matter? Regardless of whether or not we think he should've told the Oilers, does he have to? Or is there a timeline?

"Regardless" of the fact it's just the right thing to do?
I don't know what the obligations of the agent are in terms of contract language, but Grossman damn sure should have picked up the phone and told the team that's paying his client $15 million what happened.

There is NO WAY this will effect the status of his contract with the Oilers. If fitty cent Kane can kick the crap out of a cab driver with nary a slap on the wrist, Habi cruising chicks in his Ferrari after a couple of Pilsners is not going to deem his agreement with us null and void....book it Danno!

While it's possible that Khabi could come out of this reletively unscathed, it's not a slam dunk. If he gets a criminal record in the States and as a result gets banned from entering the country, this could turn out very poorly for him. Other NHL players that have been arrested (Kane, Belfour, Staal) didn't face the same hurdle.

While it's possible that Khabi could come out of this reletively unscathed, it's not a slam dunk. If he gets a criminal record in the States and as a result gets banned from entering the country, this could turn out very poorly for him. Other NHL players that have been arrested (Kane, Belfour, Staal) didn't face the same hurdle.

How did it effect that tough guy in Detroit a few years back (his name escapes me at the present)? He had some immigration issues didn't he?

There is NO WAY this will effect the status of his contract with the Oilers. If fitty cent Kane can kick the crap out of a cab driver with nary a slap on the wrist, Habi cruising chicks in his Ferrari after a couple of Pilsners is not going to deem his agreement with us null and void....book it Danno!

Difference is the Hawks wanted to keep Kane, the Oil may wish to part ways with Bulin.

I've been guilty of over reacting the Patrick Kane situation, and a little about the Oilers and the NYE bill (no regrets on the Flames H1N1 shots) I do wish that more players would take cabs or hire limos, but there must be something more to this story. Pain pills + alcohol is not a good combo for anyone.